The Joy In My Life

The first thing people ask me when I tell them what I do is " Why did you decide to do this".  The answer is much more complicated that "I wanted to be my own boss."   My Grandmother was a CNA in a nursing home all through my childhood.  On holidays she would take us with her to visit the patients and attend parties. We loved going with her.  As I grew older her work changed and she worked for the state and a HOMEMAKER.  She had the opportunity to go to peoples homes and help them with their meals, their laundy, shopping and banking.  She made it possible for them to stay in their homes.  She was the kindest and most caring person I have ever known.  When she fell ill and  in her last days she was admitted into the hospital.  While she was there she was cared for by the nurses, the children of people she had cared for and many people whose lives she had touched.  She was never alone.  It showed me that even the smallest thing we do can make the biggest difference is a life.  She was loved by many.

My Mom became extremely ill and was bedridden. She was unable to leave the house.  In her last days we had to call an ambulance to have her taken to the hospital where she died only a few days later.  I wish that a service such as ours would have been available then. It would have provided her with a sense of dignity and self respect to be able to go to the doctor without an ambulance.

Many years later I became reaquainted with a friend from High School.  We had not seen or spoken to each other in 30 years.   We talked about our lives and circumstances and he told me that he had left a successful career in engineering to take care of his terminally ill parents.   After they had passed, he realized that he did not want to go back to that. Instead he took a position as a medical transportation driver for a local skilled nursing facility.  He found it to be very rewarding.

A couple of years later he decided to make a change in his life. He wanted to relocate.  Searching for a position similar to what he was doing was not happening.  At that time I suggested we start our own business providing Medical Transportation.   Of course he said...ARE YOU NUTS??   I defended my statement by telling him that after a diligent search there just was not this kind of service available in our area.

We spent 4 months working out an extremely detailed busniess plan.  Nothing was overlooked down the the paperclips at each desk. We were confident a bank would be so overwhelmed at the completeness of our buiness plan there was no way they could refuse to finance us.  OH HOW SILLY ARE WE??

The lady at the back was impressed. She studied the plan for several days and called me back to the bank for a meeting.  She stressed to me our incredibly well thought out and detailed our plan was at that we were sure to be a huge success.  However.....we regret to inform you that we can not loan you any money unless you already have some.   OH BOY!!

My partner and I would not be deterred from our mission.  He flew in from Oklahoma and we met with mobility dealers all over Portland Oregon looking for the perfect vehicle.   When we found it we explained our situation and they financed our first vehicle.  We were on our way.   Elated we left with our dreams in tact.    My partner returned home, packed up a U-haul with all of his belongings and drove across country. 

On May 1, 2005 we were offically open for business.  One van, one driver and a wheelchair to boot.  We visited skilled nursing facilties, sent postcards to adult family homes and went to every medical facilty in town.  The day we got our first call was danced around the room in delight.   Our first month we did 6 rides.  THe next month it doubled and again the next month.  We were  on our way.

In 6 months we were back at the van dealer purchasing our second van.   We have grown a great deal over the last 6 years.  We now have 5 wheelchair vans and 4 cars.  We provide about 90 rides a day.     

Work is work but let me tell you this business is the greatest thing I have ever done.  Not because it will bring me fame and fortune. That is highly unlikely.  However, I have been blessed to meet people I would otherwise never have had the opportunity to know.  I have made a difference in the quality of their life and they have brought joy to mine.

I met  a woman that was a secretary to a general, It was pleasure to meet a man that was an engineer in the navy and taught ballroon dancing.   I drove a woman on several occasions that had been married to a man that was killed on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor.    I have spent my holidays away from my family so these folks could be with their family.   And I can tell you that I would not change a thing.  When  a family member sees their loved one arrive at a destination they are relieved, appreciative and thankful for the service we provide. 

I thought I was doing this to give back to my community but the joy I get from those I serve is more reward than all the money in the world.

Golden Chariot is not a job, or a hobby.  It is a gift. I am thankful for it everyday.